Perfectly Pink - An It's Always Been You Romance (Complete)

Chapter 18

Watermelon Sugar's pulsing beats poured out of the radio as Simon pulled into his brother's driveway, matching the butterflies in his stomach. Harry Styles swooned about strawberries and summer feelings as Mary came into view, perched on the bench by the red front door. No skin-tight dress today, rather a casual look in deep pink capris and a baby pink t-shirt. Gone was her ramrod straight hairstyle, replaced by loose tendrils that caught the sun and captured it as they fell in soft waves over her shoulders. The butterflies tried to escape, catching in his throat. Of all her looks, this had to be his new favourite.

He swallowed and hopped out of the truck, the bouquet he'd bought for her in hand. At the sight of the flowers, a shy smile graced her lips and Simon thought his heart might burst out of his chest. Something was different about her today.

"Hi," he croaked. Clearing his throat, he tried again. "For you."

Mary took the offered blooms and buried her nose in the flowers he'd hand selected, all various shades of pink. "These are lovely. Let me put them in some water before we go?"

Inside the foyer, the house was dark and quiet. "You all alone?"

"Emily and Finn left early this morning."

After arranging the flowers in a vase, he watched her open the fridge, remove a pink container and place it in a picnic basket sitting on the grey marble countertop.

"What's that?"

With two hands, she hoisted up the basket and presented it to Simon. "Our lunch."

"Sorry?"

"I made us lunch. Well," She rolled her eyes and Simon tried not to smile at the cute look. "Technically, I bought the food, but I coordinated the items."

"Coordinated?" It was impossible to keep the skepticism out of his voice. Only Mary would coordinate something as simple as a lunch.

"Yes. I went into town and picked out items I thought you...," she blinked rapidly, "and I would like for a picnic."

"Um..." Eyes falling to the ground, he scuffed a foot on a grout line in between the gleaming white tiles, his visions of impressing Mary fading. This was supposed to be his chance to showcase the gentleman he was, prove he could be more than a quickie in the back room. A picnic would not give him that opportunity. "I made reservations for us at the Norval Mill Inn."

"Oh, I like it there. But it's such a nice day." Mary smiled brightly at him and he forgot how to breathe for a moment. "Don't you think a picnic would be better?"

How could he resist her? He resigned himself to finding other ways to show her what he was capable of. "Sounds perfect. Shall we?"

Simon held the door to the truck open as Mary climbed into the passenger seat. She settled in as he placed the container holding their food in the backseat and slid in behind the wheel. "Shall we eat down by town hall? The park there is pretty."

"I have a better idea. If you would indulge me." Delicate fingers pushed her honey hair behind her ears. "I know the perfect spot."

Simon sighed. Nothing was going his way this afternoon. He considered insisting, but he didn't want to give Mary a reason to bail. "Just tell me where to go."

"Oh, I will."

Half an hour later and as far as he was concerned, in the middle of nowhere, Mary indicated to turn down a small dirt trail. He obliged and slowly eased the truck along an unbeaten path covered with tall, leafy trees filtering out the sun and crowded with brush that scraped along the side of his vehicle. Just when he was about to ask how much longer, the pathway curved slightly to the left and he spotted sparkling water 500 meters ahead.